A newspaper photograph of Liberace signing autographs during an October 23, 1953 visit to Minnesota.

This image forms part of our Minneapolis and St. Paul Newspaper Negative collection. Additional photographs in this series may be available in the library, please view the finding aid here.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this photograph in our collections database.

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A Gibson Les Paul gold-top six-string electric guitar (.A) with black nylon strap (.B), housed in a steel-reinforced transport case (.C). Guitar was purchased by Dan Murphy at Benedict’s Music Store on Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis circa 1985 and was used in recording and performances until 2012 when Murphy left Soul Asylum.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this guitar in our collections database.

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A photograph of Elvis Presley signs an autograph for a St. Paul police officer before his May 13, 1956 concert at the St. Paul Auditorium.

This image forms part of our Minneapolis and St. Paul Newspaper Negative collection. Additional photographs in this series may be available in the library, please view the finding aid here.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this photograph in our collections database.

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A color photograph taken by Minnesota photographer Charles Chamblis in 1980 showing a group of guys hanging out at the Taste Show Lounge in Minneapolis.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this photograph in our collections database.

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A Fidelitone Model 3141 comprised of a dual turntable, 3 pickups, and 5-tube amplifier with microphone input housed in a portable cabinet. Designed and marketed by the George K. Culbertson Company of Minneapolis, MN, 1940-1960.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this turntable in our collections database.

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Minnesota has a long and storied history of music making. From the Hutchinson Family Singers during the Civil War to Dylan, Prince, punk, and beyond, the creation of music is central to our cultural life here.

See a small sample of some of the fun musical items in the Collection, including Prince’s gloves from Purple Rain; Bob Dylan’s handwritten lyrics to “Temporary Like Achilles”; Karl Mueller’s Chuck Taylors; and Vixen leader Jan Kuehnemund’s guitar and jacket.

Know that there is more to discover – this is just a starting point! The Library Lobby is open the same hours as the Library. Come visit and enjoy!

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this shirt in our collections database.

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A Girl, a Guitar, and a Dream. It’s a fitting epitaph to Jan Kuehnemund’s remarkable life, which was tragically cut short by cancer in 2013. The 59-year-old St. Paul native was the founder and lead guitarist for Vixen, the first all-female rock band from the Twin Cities, which rose to international stardom during the glam metal heyday of the 1980’s. Jan began playing guitar as a teenager and formed her first band, Lemon Pepper, while still in high school. With her dad Carl serving as roadie, Jan and her band mates Laurie Hedlund (drums), Cindy Boettcher (keyboards) and Gayle (Erickson) DeMatoff (bass) played throughout the Twin Cities, including gigs at the Cabooze, Duffy’s and the Union. As the band honed their chops, they secured a manager and began performing around the country under their new moniker, Vixen. During the 1970’s Vixen opened for acts such as Styx, Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon, and Bob Seeger, and in 1979 the girls moved to Los Angeles to strike it big.

By the mid-1980’s Cindy, Laurie, and Gayle had left the band, but Jan continued to pursue her dream with new members Janet Gardner (vocals), Roxy Petrucci (drums) and Glencoe, MN native Share Pedersen (bass). Their 1988 self-titled debut album, Vixen, went gold and was followed in 1990 by the release of Rev it Up and tours with Deep Purple and Kiss. Vixen disbanded in 1991, but re-formed in 1997 without Kuehnemund. Jan won a legal battle for the band’s name and revived Vixen in 2001 with new members. With more than 1 million records sold, four songs in Billboard’s Top 100, and six top-ranked videos on MTV during the 1980’s, Vixen established its legacy as a groundbreaking success in the male-dominated world of heavy metal rock, a feat accomplished in large part due to the vision, talent and perseverance of its guiding spirit, Jan Kuehnemund.

Jan Kuehnemund (left) with Janet Gardner and Share Pedersen at The Town and Country Club in London, 1990. Photo by Mick Hutson/Redferns, gettyimages.

Stop by the History Center this week only (through November 23) to see this rock star’s guitars, stage costume, and more. Enjoy!